I just bought a 95 Accord from a relative. They live about 2 hours away. The car overheat if you arent moving. I would like to buy parts and take with me, fix it and drive it home. Any ideas. I don't think thermostat because it is only when the car does not move. I think possibly water pump, but given the symptoms still not likely. I think it may be that the fan is not kicking on. That would be a relay or heat sensor right? Any ideas?

Thanks

 

sounds like the fan is not kicking on to me
but its gonna be hard to diagnose long distance

 

before you drive it, make sure the fan relay is actually plugged in....it might be as simple as that.

if your relatives ever had the radiator changed, I've actually seen it where the dumb-*** didn't plug in the coupler all the way. It's not uncommon.

 

Thanks for the info. I may drive down, visually inspect it and see if I can find something out of wack or unplugged. If I can't find anything I might attempt to drive it home and start to narrow down the possible problems. The drive is mostly highway so it shouldnt overheat. It is also cold in Ohio now so that would help. I had a 88 CRX that the fan went out on. Before I fixed it I would sit in traffic in the summer with the heater blasting and that was enough to keep the car cool, of course I would sweat like a hooker in church .

 

The radiator fan switch is on the thermostat housing. if all the connections seem good, turn the a/c on. if the fans coem on with the a/c, then the problem is that switch, if not then its the wireing, or the fans themselves. you can qucik fix the fan switch for the drive home by unplugging the sensor, and jumpering the 2 wires on the harness. that will turn the fans on all the time, but it will keep the heat down while you're not moving.

 

Thanks for the tip. This should be very helpful.